A Thin Line

by Tammy Jo Burns

  “I haven’t decided.”

  “Why? Because of me or because he has now absconded with the dear Lady Clarissa?”

  “Kala, you are being ridiculous.”

  “Am I, really?”

  “Yes, you are.”

  “Why are you so determined that it is Southerby or Dewhurst?”

  “Both men have ties to government offices. Southerby, as I have said before, could have very easily read the missive before delivering it.” The wind picked up and he saw Kala pull her cloak tighter about herself. “Dewhurst does something in my office. I am not sure what, as I do not always have interactions with everyone in the office. No one would think anything of it if he were in someone’s office milling around on the pretext of delivering papers, waiting for a meeting, or anything else. He is a member of the ton, therefore he is trusted.”

  “You know, they really shouldn’t trust just anyone, whether they are a member of the ton or not. Do they not realize we are in a full-scale war? Have they not read about the Trojans?”

  “Calm down, Kala.” All of a sudden, one of the phaeton’s wheels fell into a large pothole. A loud crack filled the air. The phaeton listed to one corner and the horse drug it a few feet before finally being brought to a halt by Gabe.

  Chapter 30

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yes. What happened?”

  “Something broke. Here, hold the reins.” He put them into Kala’s capable hands before climbing out and walking around to her side. “We broke a wheel. I’m going to unhitch the horse. We’ll have to ride him to the nearest village.”

  Kala waited several minutes while Gabe unhitched the horse and readied it to be ridden bareback. He didn’t bother asking Kala if it bothered her to ride that way, because he knew she could, and very well. He helped her down and onto the horse before climbing up behind her.

  “I smell rain.”

  “Damn, I hope we can beat the storm.”

  “Where are we going?” She asked once they started down the road.

  “It’s too far back to Southerby’s. There should be a village coming up soon. Perhaps there will be a place to stay.” Thirty minutes later the first fat rain drop hit Kala squarely on her pert nose.

  “Ummm, Gabe, I have some bad news.”

  “What is it?” All of a sudden, a lightning bolt lit up the sky that had turned dark, quickly followed by a loud clap of thunder, ruining her proclamation. The horse reared at the noise and jerked one of the reins out of Gabe’s hand. “Kala, hold on,” he yelled.

  “I’m trying,” the wind whipped the words from her mouth. The skies opened up and the torrential rain began. It felt like needles driving into her face and arms. She stretched down, hoping to grasp the other rein. Finally, Mikala reached it and handed it off to Gabe. Slowly he brought the horse under control, and she felt herself being squeezed. “What are you doing?” He answered by merely placing a hard kiss on her mouth before continuing on.

  “I see something,” he said loudly over the wind and the rain. The storm now showed its full fury and the road had turned into a quagmire. He guided the horse into the stable of a small coaching inn just as another loud clap of thunder sounded. “Hello, anyone here?”

  An old man walked out of a back stall stretching and yawning. “Bad time to be out,” he said as he walked up to them.

  “Our carriage broke a wheel some ways back. We are in need of a room.”

  “Ye be soaked plum through. Go inside and get warm. The missus will see to ye. I’ll see to the horse.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Kala said through chattering teeth. Gabe lowered her to the ground and then slid down after her. He grabbed their bags off the back of the horse and grabbed her hand.

  “Can you keep up?”

  “Yes.”

  “Let’s run for it, then.” With him guiding her, they ran across the yard of the inn to the main building itself. Kala shivered as they reached the threshold.

  A lightning strike backlit them in the open doorway, making them appear as shadows. “Sims, would you shut the door, or are you planning to flood the inn?” Gabe wrapped his arm around Kala, pulling her to him. He closed the door with a resounding thud. “Oh, excuse me, sir. I thought you were my lazy husband. I am Mrs. Simms.”

  “No, good woman. He is out in the stables looking after our horse. We have been in the rain for quite a while. Do you have room to spare for the night?”

  “Of course. With the weather, you are the only guests. I’ll warm some water so your lovely wife can warm up. It will have to be a hip bath.”

  “That is fine. If you’ll direct me to the room.”

  “Upstairs, the door on your left.”

  “Thank you. He swung Kala up in his arms, their bags clutched in one hand and headed upstairs.”

  “I can walk,” Kala muttered through chattering teeth.

  “This will be faster,” he said, reaching the top of the stairs. “Open the door.” She reached out and fumbled for the doorknob. “Here,” he muttered and shifted her so that he could reach the knob. He twisted it and pushed the door open. It banged against the wall making a loud noise.

  “You...you should be more…more ca...careful.”

  “We have to get you warm before you catch your death.” She nodded attempting to undo the buttons at the back of her dress. Her fingers were so cold they wouldn’t work. “Here, let me,” he brushed her hands aside as a shiver ran down her body. She didn’t know whether to blame that particular shiver on the cold or his strong hands making contact with her bare skin. “Why do women’s dresses have so many damn buttons?”

  A knock sounded at the door before Mrs. Simms opened it. “Here we go, dearie. I’ll whip up some warm food and bring it right away.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Simms,” Gabe said kindly. Once the woman had left he finished with the buttons on Kala’s gown and peeled it from her body. “Come over here,” he pulled Kala to the warm water and sunk her hands in it all the way to her wrists. “This will help warm you up. Stay right here.” He walked over to the bags and found their extra clothes were soaked as well. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Where are you going?” Her teeth chattered around the question.

  “Just stay there and keep your hands in the water.” He waited until she agreed and then left the room. He ran downstairs and headed toward the cooking smells. “Mrs. Simms,” he called out.

  “In here.”

  “Mrs. Simms, do you happen to have a dry gown my wife might borrow? Our extra clothes are soaked, as well.”

  She walked over to the fireplace where some clothes hung on a rack in front of it. “I was warming these for ye. You both look as if you are about to freeze.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Your supper will be ready in a few minutes.” Gabe nodded and made quick time back to the room. Kala still stood with her hands and wrists submerged, but seemed to be shaking less.

  “Here we go. Take off your shift, please.”

  “Now, Gabe,” it felt different unclothing in front of him now that she could see, as silly as that sounded.

  “Kala, you have to get warm. Now is no time to be modest.” She reluctantly began stripping off her shift, revealing herself in increments. He tried ignoring her body and think about what he needed to do, but he couldn’t. She was perfect—willowy with curves in all the right places. Her breasts were proud and full, the tips already beaded from the cold. She had a womanly lushness about her. The dark thatch of curls that covered her womanhood practically beckoned to him. He could feel himself growing hard.

  “Gabe, it’s cold.” Her words shook him out of his reverie, and he began to towel her off. “Not so hard.”

  “We have to get your blood circulating.” He continued rubbing her body, trying to keep his mind off her naked form. He pulled the voluminous nightgown over her head and led her to the bed in the corner. He pulled down the covers helping her to climb in just as a knock sounded on the door. “That should be our food.”r />
  “Good, I’m starving.”

  He walked over and opened the door. Mrs. Sims stood in the hall with a tray laden with steaming dishes. “Let me get that for you, Mrs. Simms.”

  “Thank you...”

  “Hawke. Mr. Hawke.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Hawke. How is Mrs. Hawke?”

  “Warmer, thank you. Do you mind if I light the fire?”

  “Not at all. If you need anything else during the night, you just let me or Simms know and we will do what we can.”

  “Thank you Mrs. Simms. Have a good night.”

  “You, too.”

  He shut the door behind her.

  “Why did you do that?” Kala asked from the bed.

  “Do what?”

  “Not tell her your title.”

  “Don’t you mean our title?” He looked at her and watched as she gave him a look. “Fine. I miss being treated like I used to be, before I inherited a title that should never have been mine.”

  “Oh.” She had never really given much thought to him not wanting the title. He just seemed to step into the position so easily. She snuggled down into the covers and closed her eyes for just a moment.

  Gabe looked at Kala when he heard a soft snuffle come from the bed. Exhaustion overcame her and she had fallen asleep. He finished laying out the fire and took several minutes getting it to light. He felt proud of himself for not smoking up the room, it had been so long since he had started a fire. He quickly peeled off his wet clothes and dried himself with the cooling towel. He wrapped it around his waist before walking to the tray.

  The dear woman had included a bottle of spirits along with the hot stew. There was also toasted bread and fresh, rich butter. He poured himself a cup of the spirits and downed it quickly. Heat spread through him, heating him from the inside out. He carried the tray over to the bed and set it on the end. Climbing in, he pulled the covers over him and reached for the tray watching Kala stretch sensuously.

  “Hmmm, something smells wonderful.”

  “Lamb stew,” he replied taking a big bite.

  “Aren’t you going to share?”

  “You were asleep.”

  “I’m awake now,” she said pushing herself up against the headboard. He helped her prop some pillows behind her back for support.

  “Here, have some of this first.” He poured her a glass of the spirits. “It’s better if you do it in one gulp.” She nodded and threw back the contents quickly before she started coughing. He patted her back as she recovered her breath.

  “What was that?” She wheezed.

  “I think it is homemade, but it will start warming you up.”

  “Or kill me.”

  “Quit complaining and eat.” He held out the spoon full of stew to her and she took a hearty bite.

  “Ohhhh, that’s absolutely divine.”

  “I thought you would like it.” They ate, finishing off the entire tray of food and drink. Gabe stood up and removed the tray.

  “I wondered if you were wearing anything at all, but thought better of it.”

  “Do you like the look?” He did a turn to model the strip of cloth tied at his waist.

  “Yes, but I don’t think it would go over well in the beau monde. I can think of some men who would be arrested for lewd behavior. While others would be a danger to female society, like you.”

  “Me, really?”

  “Why not? I find you a danger to me,” said huskily. She watched his blurry form cross back to the bed and get in beneath the covers before the towel hit the floor. He made no effort to pull her into his arms. In fact since he knew she had begun getting her vision back, he had touched her very little. Feeling alone in the small bed, she went back to sleep.

  The storm started up again with greater force around the middle of the night. Thunderclaps rolled in on top of one another waking Kala. She looked over and found Gabe still sleeping peacefully. What had happened to him? Everything was fine until they reached Justin’s estate. She waited until a lightning bolt lit the room followed by an extremely loud thunderclap and gave a yelp. Kala rolled over towards him and moaned overdramatically

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Have you been awake all this time?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Oh,” she flopped back on the bed, drawing out the word. They lay together in silence for several long minutes. “Why the sudden change in attitude this evening? Are you worried about Clarissa?” She asked, unable to hide her insecurities.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Ever since we stopped at Justin’s you have been sullen.”

  He shrugged, refusing to answer her. He couldn’t forget how she kept defending Southerby and calling him by his first name. Did she still have feelings for the man? He knew through Derek that the man had been seriously courting her. He looked up and jumped when he saw her face inches from his. Her eyes were squinted almost shut. Let her believe that he had feelings for Clarissa.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Trying to figure out what you’re thinking.”

  “I forget you are starting to see. Is it getting better?”

  “It’s about the same and don’t change the subject.” She tossed her long, sable hair over her shoulder. “I want to know what’s the matter with you.”

  “Just go to sleep.”

  “I’m sorry. I just don’t think he did it, and I think that having Lady Clarissa with him proves it. But therein lies the other problem.”

  “What?”

  “You were courting her rather seriously. Do you regret not making an offer for her and getting stuck with me? It is quite a come down from a duke’s daughter to a headmaster’s daughter. Do you want to go and be chivalrous and rescue Clarissa? I know I am nothing compared to her in looks.” She felt his hand cup the back of her neck and drag her downward. His lips captured hers in an almost punishing manner. She pulled back a little. “What are you doing?”

  “Trying to keep you from talking nonsense,” he muttered pulling her down once more. She draped herself over his chest and allowed him access to the recesses of her mouth. Their tongues dueled and she languidly tangled her fingers in his damp hair. “You’re wearing too many clothes.”

  “Do something about it then.” He flipped her onto her back and quickly maneuvered the voluminous nightgown up her body and over her head. She lay there, proudly naked before him, not attempting to cover herself. “Well?” She asked when he just stayed where he was, not moving.

  “Beautiful,” he grunted before lowering himself beside her and capturing her mouth once again. His hand found its way to her waist and began traveling slowly up her side. His fingers played with her ribs as if they were a pianaforte. Then ever so slowly he traced the outer edge of her breast, moving slowly inward, until he palmed her nipple. Moaning softly, she arched her back to better fit her breast in his hand.

  He rolled the nipple between his thumb and forefinger as he placed kisses towards the other breast. He dropped kisses all over her breast, except where she most desired it. “Please, Gabe.”

  “What do you want?”

  “For you to suckle me,” she looked up at him and cupped her hand around her breast. He felt himself harden even more. He took her hands and pinned them beside her head. Gabe lowered his head and captured the delicate pink nipple with his lips, teasing. “Gabe,” she moaned again. The man would drive her insane. She arched her back as far as she could and sighed in relief when she felt the suction of his mouth. He moved to her other nipple and she felt the heat gathering between her legs.

  “Be still,” he whispered in her ear.

  “I can’t. I’m burning up all over. Do you realize it has been days since you’ve touched me?” She felt him drape a bare leg across hers, pinning her down. The feeling of his hair-roughened legs excited her. He took his time and drove her mad. “Gabe.”

  “No. I am going to savor you.” The scent of her coupled with the jasmine she wore was driving him out of his mind. Her wigglin
g efforts to get closer to him were making him harder than he had ever been in his life. “Kala, if you don’t be still, I will have to savor you later.”

  “Good, I don’t know how much more I can take.” He moved between her legs, using his hips to open her to him. “Finally,” she whispered into his mouth.

  “Oh, no, it’s just beginning.” He slowly inserted a finger inside her dewy channel, teasing her. She dug in her heels to meet the in and out movement. He felt her slickness and inserted another finger, stretching her slightly. He felt her inner muscles squeezing, caressing.

  She held onto his shoulders as if he were an anchor in a storm-tossed sea. It felt different to Kala, being able to see the expressions that crossed his face. She could not wait for her vision to become clearer. Mikala watched Gabe move down her body, and wondered what he planned until he put his mouth there. She let out a husky moan, her hands fisted in the sheets. His hands covered her breasts. She felt herself on the brink of her release when he pulled back and began to enter her with his engorged member.

  “Am I hurting you?” Gabe asked, removing his hands.

  “No.”

  “Keep your eyes open.”

  “What?”

  “I want to know that you see me and only me.”

  “Only ever you, Gabe,” she cried out as he moved in and out of her. They watched each other, making it so much more intimate, if that were possible. She clenched about him, and he stopped, just looking at her. “Gabe, please don’t tease me.”

  “It will be more intense.”

  “No,” she twisted, and he couldn’t quite figure out how, but the next thing he knew she sat on top of him. He caressed her breasts as she twisted, lifted and lowered. He could feel her getting tighter and knew it would only be a matter of moments before she exploded.

  “Gabe,” she moaned, pleading for something. A frustrated tear leaked from the corner of her eye.

  “Kala.” He reached down between them and found what he knew would send her over the edge. He pinched it and rubbed in rhythm with her movements. He felt her climax. Her sheath tightened around him like a silken glove, caressing him. She yelled out, just as a loud clap of thunder sounded and then collapsed on him.